To mark the first anniversary of the #NoFaultDivorce we’re joining @Family Solutions Group UK and Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, in calling for an end to the use of ‘battle’ language and the term ‘custody’ following a family separation. Taking the ‘fight’ out of family separation is long overdue to protect children. We commend the words of Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of...
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In April 2022 the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will come into force, changing the divorce process and requirements for couples wishing to divorce in England and Wales. The Act also amends the process and requirements for judicial separation and dissolution of civil partnerships. Please ask us for information on those processes if you require it. The key change brought about by the new...
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On 27 February 2020 the House of Commons Library published a Briefing Paper entitled: Children parental alienation and the role of Cafcass (England). The issue of parental alienation has come to the fore in recent years, with more parliamentary questions than ever before being raised on the issue of parental alienation and the impact that it can have on children and how the Family Courts...
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The New Year isn’t always a happy time. January often sees a significant rise in the number of couples considering divorce. In fact, the first working day of the year (this year it was the 6th January) has become known as ‘Divorce Day’ due to the number of enquiries received by organisations like Amicable and Relate and by family law firms like ours. The Christmas...
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Cohabitation is becoming more commonplace in today’s society. Of the 326,117 households in Dorset, nearly 10% are living together but are not married. This raises an important question – what are the rights for cohabiting couples? Below, our Family Law solicitors highlight the current laws for unmarried couples and what Williams Thompson is doing to reform these laws. Why are Williams Thompson campaigning for reform?...
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As some of you know, divorce laws in the UK are set for a major change, allowing couples to apply for a ‘no-fault’ divorce. But what does this mean for the people of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch? See what our Head of Family Law and Partner, Emma Hamilton Cole, thinks below… Currently, anyone seeking divorce has to prove that their partner is at fault due...
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If you are separating and have children with your ex-partner, it is vital that you consider the impact this might have on your children. Here, we are going to discuss the steps you and your solicitor can do to minimise this impact. What Can You Do to Help Your Children? If you’re unsure whether your children are struggling, there are a number of signs that...
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A Pre-Nuptial agreement is a legal document that both parties sign before they get married to record ownership of their respective assets and finances, should the marriage fail. They are often drawn up in cases where one person in the marriage is bringing significantly more assets than the other and both parties feel it’s fair to recognise this if the marriage breaks down. Many people...
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Although divorce rates are falling in England and Wales, there were over 100,000 divorces in 2017. Divorce is often a very disruptive and upsetting experience for both parties, but there are ways to reduce the acrimony. Having dealt with a wide variety of divorces and separations over many years, we have helped lots of couples come to a civilised conclusion. Here are our top tips...
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Recent statistics show that over 90% of unmarried couples are surprised to discover their lack of rights in relation to pensions, property or income, even if they have been living with their partner for a number of years. Breaking down the ‘Common Law Marriage Myth,’ we’ve asked our Head of Family Law Emma Hamilton Cole to answer some commonly asked questions. She is keen to...
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